RABAT - The number of tourists who visited Morocco in the first half of 2024, marking a 14% increase on the same period in 2023. The North African nation is hoping to close the year with 15.5 million to 16 million tourists, enabled by marketing campaigns, higher airline connectivity, and a focus on promoting Moroccan gastronomy.
The country is aimed at attracting 26 million by 2030, when it will become the second African nation to host the FIFA World Cup after being named co-host of the 2030 edition alongside Spain and Portugal.
One year after its deadliest earthquake in 60 years, Morocco is seeking foreign investment to boost its tourism industry ahead of co-hosting the Fifa World Cup in 2030.
The North African kingdom plans to develop infrastructure ranging from hotels to stadiums for the football tournament and is touting a new programme of incentives to attract investors to big-ticket projects.
In July, the UAE and Morocco finalised the terms of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement to boost bilateral trade and investment ties. The deal will establish platforms for investment and private-sector collaboration in priority sectors such as tourism, infrastructure, transport and logistics.
Foreign direct investment into Morocco's tourism industry is currently 20 per cent of the total investment by the private sector, and the target is to increase this to 30 per cent by 2026.
The country, which hosted a record 14.5 million tourists last year, aims to attract 17.5 million tourists in 2026 and 26 million by 2030 when it will co-host the World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
